a few questions about prerunners..

[OMFG nick]

For quite some time, i've been wanting to get into racing pre runners. I've just always been more interested in desert racing. Like the baja 1000 and 500 stuff. But am unsure of a few things. Are they typically standard or auto? when i look at pictures it looks like an auto pattern on the console? Also, tuned out 4.0 s/c v6 or big bad N/A 5.0 efi? And also what is so different about the rear suspension set up than a regular leaf spring in my ranger edge?

 

[Quasi242]

What you do to your truck depends on the series and class that you intend to run. Your first step should be to see what series are available and read their rule books. Standard vs. auto would be personal preference in my opinion, but I believe that automatics are fairly common in desert racing. Engine size and displacement will once again depend on the class that you decide to race. Most race trucks will run either a 3 or 4 link setup as this will provide the greatest amount of travel and the smoothest ride. Long travel leaf setups are also possible. In this case the shackles are generally flipped and lengthened and a special leaf pack is used that incorporates thinner leafs to provide a more progressive response. Hopefully that helps.

 

[OMFG nick]

Well here is the set up that has been running around in my head, first it would be just for fun and then eventually compete in smaller stuff. Im thinking mid to late 90's ex ranger 2wd w/ dixon bros long travel suspension kit, i had seen what looked (correct me if im wrong) a long travel rear suspension kit from them as well. with maybe 285/75/16 goodyear a/t or m/t, for drivetrain; 4.0 v6 with small centruvigal supercharger or a 4.6 3v w/ a kenne belle supercharger mated to a 5 speed auto from an older f-150. Fully gutted interior caged with racing seats and 5point harness, tire racks in the bed with a light bar in the front. And fiberwerx one piece front end conversion with flared bedsides also.

Would yall say im on the right track??

 

[OMFG nick]

Plus 8.8 w/ 4.56 gears with a rear disc set up from an explorer just for the extra stopping power....

 

[Quasi242]

Sounds like you are on the right track for a fun prerunner. Once again, you will need to look into the series race regs to find out what is legal if you plan on converting it to a race truck. For example a class 7 is different from a 7s which is different from 1450, etc.

Dixon Brothers stuff is good. I am running it on my 4X4. Unless I am wrong, Dixon only makes stuff for the 98+ Edge/4X4 platform (I am not sure if they have an option for 98+ 2wd coil stuff). If you want to go 97 or older, then you can look at companies like Giant or Threat for a beamed setup. Dixon sells Deaver leaf spring packs and has a cantilever shock mount option. If you want to stay with leaf springs and want to maximize performance look into the Giant 64" kit. Regardless which spring setup you run, you will want to run a long travel racing style shock.

 

[OMFG nick]

just out of curiousity do the race rules/ regs. typically change from race to race? or if you race that class, you have a specific set of regs(i.e stock, stock modified, 2wd long travel pro, etc.)? Like are there specific things dealing with drivetrain set up?

 

[OMFG nick]

wait, so the dixon bros 2WD LT kit only works for the edges with torsion bar suspensions? thats pretty dumb.. Because if edges have the same suspension set up, couldnt you use their 4WD kit?

 

[doyouquaxu]

regulations stay the same from race to race as long as you stay within the same organization thats holding the race. if it were me i would get a beamed ranger (97 and older), throw a threat motorsports kit on the front with coilovers and possibly a bypass if i feel like a baller, with a giant motorsports 64" rear spring kit with their link killer shocks that were designed to use with those springs. i would then pay a reputable shop to build my engine, cab, and bed cages all tied in together. while the cage is being built, suspension can be mounted and shock mounts made so that you can maximize travel from your parts without running into clearance issues. one piece front fiberglass like you said, and fiberglass bedsides. theres a lot, and i mean a LOT of money into a race truck. even a 1450 truck which is the sportsman's class, is expensive. you need race seats, 5 point harnesses that are up to date, a fire extinguisher, spare rims and tires, spare parts, a race radio to be able to communicate with your pit crew as well as race officials, gas, entry fee, and a lot of other stuff i dont know since i dont own a race truck.oh yeah, theres also testing costs, money getting the shocks tuned right for each course, wiring it all, getting the bugs worked out so that it will run an entire race at WOT, and maintenance of wearable parts like heims, bushings, etc. a 4.6 v8 is a super wide engine. most common swaps into rangers are 4.0 SOHC, or a 5.0 v8 from an explorer. if you're set on doing the 4.6, it will be hard to squeeze it between the frame rails and still get proper shock angles in the front, without sacrificing travel by running a smaller shock.

the fastest way to $1 million in this sport is to start with $2 million.

wait, so the dixon bros 2WD LT kit only works for the edges with torsion bar suspensions? thats pretty dumb.. Because if edges have the same suspension set up, couldnt you use their 4WD kit?

its the same kit. it uses the stock spindle, so if you have a 4x4 all you need is longer axles to still be able to use 4wd

 

[OMFG nick]

well i really like the 4.6 oppose to the 5.0 because of the option to use roots superchargers as oppose to centruvigal. and the 4.0 SOHC is an option as well cause you can use the twin turbo kits from the v6 mustangs or the t-bird supercharger OR a procharger.

The way i look at it is, i have 3 options.

1. I buy an older 2wd or 2wd edge and do work.
2. I hold out for my dad to get tired of his 2001 ext cab 4wd 4.0 SOHC and buy it from him and then do work.
3. Just use my 2004 edge 2wd and swap the 3.0 for 4.0 and turbo or s/c it, and buy me a full size truck to haul it to tracks.

opinions?

 

[Quasi242]

For a play/race truck, a 97 or older beamed truck will get you the most travel for the fewest dollars spent. There are kits out there for the 98+ non edge trucks. Check Camburg, Blitzkrieg (BMS), etc. for options. Non edge 2wd trucks will require frame notching to fit a coilover if you decide to go that route.

If you intend to do a V8 engine swap anyway, a 97 or older would likely be the best bet. If you are ok with the 4.0 SOHC then a 2001 or newer will save you the engine swap.

 

[OMFG nick]

well i was looking at the regular 2wd coil long travel kits, and theyre almost 2.5x what the dixon bros LT edge kit was. and i was thinking; ok well i can use the edge i have now and just buy a single or ext cab f-150 to tow it around in. Thats the option im leaning towards the most. good or bad idea?

 

[Quasi242]

The only problem with that is that you will be building a truck with a 3.0 and will likely want to do an engine swap at some point. That is the boat that I am in. Aside from that, Dixon makes a nice kit that works well.

 

[OMFG nick]

really the only thing needing to decide is whether to swap a 4.0 or just while everything is out put a 5.0 cause they are much easier to build to higher horsepower and torque ratings.

 

[doyouquaxu]

youre going to hate yourself for cutting up such a new truck. even if you have the money to do so, youre going to look back on things and wonder why the hell you didnt buy a beater for a few grand and build that.

if keeping it street legal is of no concern to you, a v8 is easy as long as you have the engine and can do the work to get it in there. pick what you want and make it work, i've seen 6.0 chevy v8's crammed in there, and i'm talking to a guy about helping him squeeze the v6 from an infinity g35 into his explorer

 

[OMFG nick]

i knowwww. I'm hoping that by time i get around to putting my foot down to do this, i'll find that magic beat up high mileage edge for like 2500-3000. Whats funny is i bought mine from my old boss with 74k on the dash for $4000! i couldnt pass that up. So i gave my jeep to my grandma and drove off in my new ranger =)